Micro-arcing and arc erosion minimisation using a 42 volt DC hybrid switching devices

Hybrid switching devices utilise the advantages of both conventional electrical contacts and solid state electronics to minimise arcing during opening and closing operations. This can result in higher reliability and reduces the need for high cost specialist contact materials. The hybrid switch does not eliminate arcing completely, due to the inductive nature of circuits however small the inductance may be; micro-arcing is known to occur. An experimental DC hybrid switching device is introduced which minimises arcing for 42 V applications. The characteristics of micro-arcing are investigated to determine the factors which influence the duration of micro-arcs. Surface profiling techniques are used to determine low level contact erosion. The extent of contact erosion is related to the behaviour of micro-arcs.